Lifestyle Painting: Second Act for Julie Woodford 2/11/2025 | By Eric J. Wallace When Julie Woodford stepped away from a decades-long career as the education director at First United Methodist Church in Salem, Virginia, in 1988, she knew exactly what would come next. “I’d been interested in art since I was a kid and taken classes in college, but having a family and career made it hard to find the time to pursue it,” says Woodford, now 90. She’d continued painting and drawing from time to time and thought, “That’s what I’m going to use my retirement to focus on.” With her husband’s support, Woodford dove in head first. She transformed an extra room into a studio, bought new supplies, and enrolled in classes taught by professional local artists at the acclaimed Studio School in Roanoke. There, she explored different media and techniques, dabbling in everything from sketching portraits to crafting mixed media collages to painting seasonal acrylic landscapes. Woodford enjoyed it all but gravitated toward watercolor painting, especially brightly colored animals and landscapes. “I tried a bit of everything to see what interested and inspired me, and, for whatever reason, that was the medium I kept coming back to,” she says. It was delightful to see the degree of skill she’d retained, but the joy she took from learning amazed her. “I loved to home in on getting better at this or that application or technique, and still do,” says Woodford with a laugh. “I find it thrilling to try new things with the goal of pushing myself to better express my ideas and emotions in colors and shapes and paint.” Woodford’s interest and skill snowballed with time. She made friends with other area painters, attended plein air events, joined critical circles, and became a member of the League of Roanoke Artists. Her work began to be featured at annual art shows, artisan fairs, and galleries, which led to occasional commissioned works and sales of paintings. But while the praise of others brings a sense of satisfaction and validation, Woodford says the real payoff comes in the act of making art itself. “I spend a few hours painting almost every day of my life,” she says. “It draws me in and I can’t let go of it. I focus on that one thing, and it feels good to watch an idea come to life across the blank paper.” Julie Woodford and her husband relocated to the Harmony Collection at Roanoke assisted living community about three years ago. She says the move freed her from having to cook and clean and has brought more time to paint than ever before. Her work is now displayed in many points throughout the facility, including in an onsite hair salon. And the admiration of other residents has inspired a tradition where she crafts hand-painted birthday cards for fellow community members. Looking back at the past 36 years, it’s hard for Woodford to imagine what retirement would have been like without painting. “It’s given me so much joy and been a source of endless excitement,” she says. The activity helped her find a new community of friends and a sense of purpose that rivals, if not surpasses, that of her career. What’s more, “I feel like it’s helped me stay healthy and young at heart.” Related: 10 Top Second Acts After Retirement Read More Eric J. Wallace Eric J. Wallace is a career journalist who writes about food, drink, the outdoors, and the wondrous intersection thereof. His work has appeared in noteworthy publications like “WIRED,” “Best American Food Writing,” “Outside,” “Backpacker,” “Reader's Digest,” “Atlas Obscura,” “All About Beer,” “Modern Farmer,” and “VinePair.”